Updates for March 28-29: The Coast has 18 new coronavirus cases, 6 in Hancock County
Another 95 people across Mississippi have the coronavirus and 18 more on the Coast, according to Sunday’s update from the State Department of Health.
There was 1 new death in the state, putting the total at 14 who have died from the virus. The death reported today is someone age 40-49, and is the first death in Mississippi under the age of 70.
Sunday’s report showed 6 new cases in Hancock County, 5 more in Harrison County, 4 more in Pearl River County and 1 more in Jackson County.
Sunday, March 29
2:45 p.m.
The blood shortage is still critical across the Coast, says John McFarland, executive director of the local American Red Cross. Blood drives are being conducted, following the safety guidelines for social distancing.
Blood drives this week are:
▪ Monday — Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, 228 S. Beach Blvd., Bay St. Louis. 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
▪ Tuesday — American Red Cross Gulfport Office 612 E. Pass Road. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
▪ Wednesday — Orange Grove Community Drive at Spinroom & Fitness, 12100 US 49, Gulfport. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
▪ Thursday — United Way of Jackson and George Counties, 3510 Magnolia St., Pascagoula. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
▪ Friday — First United Methodist Church, co-sponsored by Papa John’s, 208 Pine St, Long Beach 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
2:05 p.m.
Moss Point Mayor Mario King and the Board of Aldermen are meeting today.
To help stop the spread of coronavirus, King issued an order Saturday directing a curfew in the city from 11 p.m. To 6 a.m. King said the city will enforce the governor’s order that churches be limited to groups of no more than 10 people. He recommends all churches suspend in-person services.
Shelter in place is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, under his order. It orders individuals to remain at home, with less than 10 people present inside and outside their home and to leave home only for essential business.
12:30 p.m.
Today’s report from the Center for Disease Control shows 444 more deaths from the coronavirus and 19,332 new cases across the U.S.
The total stands at 122,653 cases nationwide and 2,112 deaths.
Over the last 7 days more than 1 million new cases of COVID-19 have been reported and 1,911 additional deaths.
11:45 a.m.
The first person who died from the coronavirus at Singing River Health System on Friday was not from Jackson County or Mississippi, says Singing River Health System CEO Lee Bond.
Mississippi Department of Health reports virus fatalities based on where the person resided, not where they died.
The death was reported Friday on the SRHS website, Bond said, and the person who died had underlying health issues. Bond said the person had traveled to visit a resort in Harrison County, “and lost their fight with the virus in spite of our valiant efforts to pull off a miracle.”
Bond said, “This virus is extremely malicious for a small percentage of patients. We beg everyone in contact with those who are older with underlying medical conditions to please not come into contact with others until this virus has been contained.”
10:20 a.m.
Another 95 people across Mississippi have the coronavirus and 18 more on the Coast, according to Sunday’s update from the State Department of Health.
There was 1 new death in the state, putting the total at 14 who have died from the virus. The death reported today is someone age 40-49, and is the first death in Mississippi under the age of 70.
The Coast has had one death in Hancock County and one in Harrison County.
Out of the 758 cases in Mississippi, 16% are in the lower six counties, which now have 122 cases.
Sunday’s report showed 6 new cases in Hancock County, 5 more in Harrison County, 4 more in Pearl River County and 1 more in Jackson County.
George County, which held at 1 case since March 21, now has 3. Stone County still has no reported cases.
The totals are:
George County — 3
Hancock County — 15
Harrison County — 43
Jackson County — 34
Pearl River County — 27
Stone County — 0
9:30 a.m.
Gov. Tate Reeves goes live on Facebook to pray for the state and the country.
“We’ve got to pray for the worst, pray for the best and expect somewhere in between,” he said.
Saturday, March 28
9 p.m.
A third Biloxi firefighter tested positive for coronavirus, Fire Chief Joe Boney said Saturday evening. The firefighter is quarantined at home along with others who received positive results Friday.
6 p.m
Ocean Springs Mayor Shea Dobson fielded complaints Saturday about groups of 10 or more gathering on Front Beach despite recommendations not to do due to the coronavirus pandemic. He said he wants the city beaches shut down but he has to wait on Jackson County supervisors to take action.
Noon
Ingalls Shipbuilding announced on its website Saturday two new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases at the Pascagoula-based shipyard to seven.
One of the latest employees to test positive last reported for work on March 20, with the other employee last on the job Wednesday. Each of the seven diagnosed with COVID-19 worked on the West Bank.
10:30 a.m.
Eighteen of the 84 new cases of coronavirus in Mississippi are in the six southern-most counties of South Mississippi, according to Saturday’s report from the Mississippi State Department of Health
In Harrison County, there are four new cases, with another nine reported in Jackson County. No new cases were reported in Hancock County.
Pearl River County has five new cases.
The total in the state now stands at 663 cases, with 13 deaths reported statewide..
The total in the 6 lower counties are:
George County — 1
Hancock County — 9
Harrison County — 38
Jackson County — 33
Pearl River County — 23
Stone County — 0
10 a.m.
Two Biloxi firefighters tested positive for coronavirus, Fire Chief Joe Boney said.
Both firefighters are self-quarantined at home.
9 a.m.
Two Biloxi VA hospital employees tested positive for coronavirus, a public affairs spokesperson with the Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System said Friday.
The employees are self-isolating at home and the Biloxi VA is identifying anyone who came into contact with them to monitor those employees, staff or veterans as well.
8 a.m.
The city of Moss Point has enacted a shelter in place order and set a curfew that takes effect Saturday.
Mayor Mario King announced the measure during a meeting Friday night.
In addition, the city set a curfew from 11 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily.
The shelter in place order means residents can only leave their home for essential business, such as going to grocery stores or work or to doctor appointments.
Highlights from Friday:
▪ Harrison County saw its first death from coronavirus. There were 94 new cases across the state, including 16 in South Mississippi. The total now stands at 579 cases with 8 deaths. On the Coast, there are 86 cases with 2 deaths. DeSoto County in North Mississippi has the most cases at 63, followed by 50 in Hinds County and 34 in Harrison County.
▪ A larger number of people who test positive for the coronavirus are being hospitalized, according to data from the state Health Department. Through March 20, the department says 24% of those who had the virus were hospitalized. By March 23 that increased to 27% and on March 24 it rose again to 31%.
▪ The State Medical Association and State Department of Health are advising Mississippians who have been tested for COVID-19 to self-quarantine until they receive test results. “A decision to test is a decision to isolate until test results come back,” said state health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs.
▪ Edgewater Mall has announced it will close at the end of the day Sunday, but Dillard’s will remain open. Chick-fil-A will operate a drive-thru in the west parking lot form 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
▪ Gautier city council held a meeting today and has joined the rest of the Coast by ordering restaurant dining rooms closed, along with “gyms, salons, nail salons, barbershops and indoor entertainment venues.”
▪ Starting Saturday, Coast Transit will limit all trips on its fixed route buses to those for health, nutrition and work. CTA will have security on the buses enforcing passenger codes of conduct, restrictions on purpose of trip and social distancing.
▪ Gulfport Behavioral Health System has opened a 24-hour Stress and Anxiety Hotline that will operate continuously through the coronavirus pandemic. Call 228-236-2236 to speak to a social worker or therapist.
▪ The deadline for getting a REAL ID driver’s license is extended a year due to the coronavirus. The new deadline is Oct. 1, 2021.
▪ Winn-Dixie stores are putting up Protective Plexiglas partitions at registers. Markings on the floors will help maintain two-cart distance between customers at checkout. From 7-8 a.m. is shopping hour for seniors and high-risk customers at all Mississippi stores.
▪ Ingalls Shipbuilding announced on its website Thursday 2 more confirmed cases of coronavirus.
▪ Jackson County School District will not serve grab-and-go meals April 6-10, which is its regularly scheduled spring break.
This story was originally published March 28, 2020 at 11:02 AM.